Lansing Personal Injury Lawyerhttps://lansing.legalexaminer.com
Tue, 11 Dec 2018 23:27:48 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9DePuy’s Attune Knee Replacement System Failures Leads to Lawsuitshttps://lansing.legalexaminer.com/health/medical-devices-implants/depuy-recalls-attune-knee-replacement-system/
https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/health/medical-devices-implants/depuy-recalls-attune-knee-replacement-system/#respondThu, 06 Dec 2018 18:29:35 +0000https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/?p=2680Most patients look forward to knee replacement surgery and the opportunity to resume normal activities of daily living. Unfortunately, many patients who underwent a total knee replacement procedure with DePuy’s Attune knee replacement system are now looking forward to a revision surgery to have the device removed or repaired due to implant failures.

Since 2011, more than 700,000 total knee replacement surgeries have used DePuy’s Attune knee implant worldwide. In June of 2015, DePuy Synthes was forced to issue a worldwide voluntary recall of several of the component parts of its Attune knee replacement system by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for failing to receive prior FDA approval.

According to case studies and adverse event reports, reported to the FDA claim the tibial base plate of the DePuy Attune fails to adhere to the cement mantle and comes out clean or with little adherence or attachment to the cement interface. Additionally, a component part of the Attune knee implant is a small wire spring called the “Balseal” has been found to detach and break off in pieces that can become embedded in tissue surrounding the artificial knee during the surgical procedure. When this occurs, patients have experienced symptoms ranging from wobbliness, looseness, instability, abnormal warmth, unexplainable swelling and severe pain. Consequently, many patients have required revision surgery to repair or replace the artificial knee.

It is believed that the Attune knee replacement will be the subject of many lawsuits in the future as failures continue to mount. The first reported lawsuit against DePuy Synthes, the medical devices unit of Johnson & Johnson, over its Attune Knee Replacement was filed in 2017.

The Attune Knee isn’t the first DePuy Synthes artificial device to run into problems. In 2015, the company reached a settlement with patients over its ASR Hip Resurfacing System. As part of the settlement, millions were set aside to assist patients with their recovery.

The attorneys at Grewal Law, PLLC are investigating the Attune knee and have lots of information about it already. If you have questions about your DePuy knee replacement, contact us for a consultation free of charge and completely confidential.

]]>https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/health/medical-devices-implants/depuy-recalls-attune-knee-replacement-system/feed/0John Laurain, Part 2https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/sexual-assault/john-laurain-part-2/
https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/sexual-assault/john-laurain-part-2/#respondMon, 03 Dec 2018 21:32:52 +0000https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/?p=2678John Laurain is an internal medicine doctor employed by Sparrow. Two weeks ago, we posted that he has been accused of grooming and groping at least two of his patients. Since then, we have received additional calls from other patients who have learned what they claim to have experienced may have happened to others.

Predators often take advantage of large institutions to give them access to victims. Jerry Sandusky, Richard Strauss, George Tyndall, and others have used their positions to locate and groom their targets. Doctors in particular have the opportunity to exploit their patients’ medical needs, and victims may not want to risk losing access to important treatment or medication by saying “no” to or reporting their physician.

Grewal Law, PLLC, is committed to stopping sexual abuse of vulnerable populations. Our firm represents 111 survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse and we have the experience necessary to take on serial predators and their enablers. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse, particularly in an institutional setting, please contact our experienced attorneys for a free consultation. All inquiries are completely confidential.

]]>https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/sexual-assault/john-laurain-part-2/feed/0Scooter Sharing Programs Running into Problems in Michigan Citieshttps://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/scooter-sharing-programs-running-into-problems-in-michigan-cities/
https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/scooter-sharing-programs-running-into-problems-in-michigan-cities/#respondThu, 29 Nov 2018 17:42:29 +0000https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/?p=2677In cities across Michigan and across the country, shareable electric scooters are popping up on street corners, popular venues, and college campuses. Meant to be a helpful alternative where cars are not practical or available, the two-wheeled motorized devices are unlocked and paid for by use of an app. The rider locates a scooter by use of a GPS tag, activates the scooter with an initial fee, then pays per mile. When the rider reaches his or her location, the scooter is left for the next user. Eventually the company, such as Lime or Bird, will pay someone to collect, charge, and redistribute the scooters.

While this may sound like a good idea in theory, in practice it has caused nightmares for municipalities and riders alike. Many cities do not have ordinances governing the use of these devices. Even where there are ordinances, riders either do not know the rules or ignore them, posing a risk to motorists, pedestrians, and themselves.

The scooters can travel quite fast – 15 miles per hour – and can be difficult to balance. Speed, instability, rider inexperience, and lack of protective equipment provide a recipe for very serious injuries in the event of a crash. The care and upkeep of the scooters, or lack thereof, can also contribute to unsafe conditions.

As cities and riders struggle to balance transportation requirements with new technology, the fate of shareable electric scooters is currently an open question.

In a little more than 2 years since the Indianapolis Star article that publicly leveled accusations of sexual abuse against Larry Nassar, our firm has assisted 111 brave survivors obtain compensation and healing, advocated to change Michigan’s outdated and oppressive sexual assault laws, and worked tirelessly to prevent tragedies like this from happening again. Although we have accomplished much, there is still much to do.

Numerous reports show doctors continue to be accused of molesting their patients. On an almost daily basis, our firm is contacted by individuals who state their doctor has sexually assaulted them.

This week we were retained by two young adult men who state they were groped and groomed by Sparrow internal medicine doctor John Laurain. Based on their statements, Laurain may have given them false diagnoses to provide an excuse for continued treatment. This matter has been reported to the regulatory board and will be reported to local law enforcement. It is an honor and privilege to represent them to hold people in positions of authority accountable and to create awareness and change in our community.

Grewal Law, PLLC, is committed to stopping sexual abuse of vulnerable populations. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse, particularly in an institutional setting, please contact our experienced attorneys for a free consultation. All inquiries are completely confidential.

]]>https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/sexual-assault/sparrow-doctor-john-laurain-accused-of-sexual-assault/feed/0Michigan Distracted Driving Crash Data Yields Few Surpriseshttps://lansing.legalexaminer.com/transportation/automobile-accidents/michigan-distracted-driving-crash-data-yields-few-surprises/
Tue, 09 Oct 2018 14:52:31 +0000https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/?p=2668In 2016, the standard Michigan State Police traffic crash form was revised to include a specific category for documenting distracted driving. Since then, tracking distracted driving crashes, and injuries suffered in those crashes, has become quite a bit easier.

Based on publicly available data, there were 20,115 crashes involving a distracted driver in 2017. According to an analysis by MLive.com, those crashes comprise about 6% of Michigan’s total crashes last year, and about 23% of those distracted driving crashes resulted in an injury.

As one would expect, distracted driving crashes occur in higher volume in urban and busy suburban areas. However, a few communities seem to have especially high proportions of distracted driving crashes. Bloomfield Township, for example, had an eye-catching 20% of its crashes caused by distracted driving in 2017. Traverse City also had a disproportionately high distracted driving crash rate of 14%, although those resulted in fewer injuries than the state average (12% to 23%). Although Dearborn landed at #31 in the sheer number of distracted driving crashes, those represent just 3% of the total number of crashes in that city.

It’s worth noting that, in spite of everyone’s best efforts, crash report data is not perfect. It is possible, even likely, that distracted driving crashes and injuries are underreported. Distracted driving is illegal in Michigan, and numerous studies show it is extremely hazardous.

]]>Multiple Students Allege Inappropriate Touching by Holt Teacherhttps://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/sexual-assault/multiple-students-allege-inappropriate-touching-by-holt-teacher/
Fri, 05 Oct 2018 16:30:20 +0000https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/?p=2667Authorities have charged Patrick Daley, a fifth-grade teacher at Washington Woods Middle School in Holt, with five counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of assault with intent to commit second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Second-degree criminal sexual conduct can occur when the victim is between 13 and 16 years old and the alleged perpetrator is a teacher in the victim’s school district. The felony charge is punishable by imprisonment of up to 15 years.

The investigation began in late May, 2018, when several students made allegations of inappropriate touching. Daley was replaced by a long-term substitute teacher and the school district is “exploring tenure charges” to terminate Daley’s employment, according to a letter sent to Holt parents and guardians. The letter goes on to provide contact information for various community resources, including the Ingham County Sheriff Department (517-676-8253), OK2Say (855-565-2729), the Holt Public Hotline (517-699-STOP), and the Firecracker Foundation (517-742-7224).

Daley is due to appear in court on October 11.

Survivors of sexual assault often have difficulty coming forward. The sexual abuse attorneys at Grewal Law / Church Wyble, P.C. have been fighting for the rights of victims for decades, and they have made it their mission to stop institutional involvement in sexual assault. The lawyers at Grewal Law / Church Wyble, P.C. are currently representing 111 Survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse and assault, and they understand what it takes to prevail against large universities and corporations. Please contact the firm’s experienced lawyers for information regarding sexual assault support groups, or for a free consultation to discuss your rights. All inquiries with our office are kept in the strictest confidence and are completely confidential.

Last year, an 18 year old who had been making her own medical decisions while a patient at the Mayo Clinic, was refused transfer to another hospital. Since the hospital would not let her leave, the high school senior – Alyssa Gilderhus – hatched a plan with her family to escape. The escape from Mayo Clinic was videotaped by Alyssa’s sister. During the escape, as Alyssa was starting to get into her parents’ car, staff members tried to grab Alyssa to prevent her from leaving. The family finally made it to a hospital in a different state. At this hospital, the physicians determined that Alyssa was capable of making her own decisions. (One of the reasons the staff at Mayo Clinic wouldn’t transfer her was because they said she wasn’t capable of making her own medical decisions and that she needed in-patient care). In addition, the physicians who examined Alyssa determined that she did not need in-patient care and could go home with instructions for her care.

Alyssa had been admitted to Mayo Clinic after she was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain aneurysm on Christmas day, 2016. Alyssa had multiple neurosurgical procedures and she was grateful for the care she received while in the neurosurgical unit. Her neurosurgeons said she had superseded their expectations and that surviving had been a miracle. Alyssa was transferred to Mayo Clinic’s rehabilitation unit and that is where her troubles began. Alyssa had the wrong size breathing tube and the staff delayed changing it to the correct size. Then the rehab staff failed to diagnose an infection in Alyssa. The family wrote many questions for the rehab physician and staff to answer on a large white board, but the questions were not answered. The family felt that the staff was not giving Alyssa proper care, that they were not answering questions, and that they were rude and dismissive.

When Alyssa and her family asked for Alyssa to be transferred to a different hospital, the staff – including the attending rehab physician in charge of Alyssa’s care – refused transfer, stating that Alyssa was not capable of making her own medical decisions. This was odd for the staff to state, since Alyssa had been making her own medical decisions since arriving to the Mayo Clinic. She was the one who signed her consent forms. Mayo Clinic officials had asked the county for help in obtaining guardianship of Alyssa, but had not initially informed Alyssa and her family they were taking these steps. Prior to Alyssa’s request to be transferred, Alyssa’s mother had been told she couldn’t participate in Alyssa’s care. The family felt that the staff did this because Alyssa’s mother had been a very strong advocate for Alyssa and had gotten upset with the attending physician and staff when she felt that they were providing negligent care and not answering Alyssa and her family’s questions.

When Alyssa finally escaped from Mayo Clinic and was evaluated by another medical team who had different opinions than the Mayo Clinic staff, the police decided that it was not appropriate for them to be involved. CNN reporters spoke with a medical ethicist who stated that adult patients are allowed to leave a hospital against medical advice. Furthermore, the ethicist stated that Mayo Clinic “can’t eat their cake and have it too.” As the police had determined, the ethicist stated that it didn’t make sense that Alyssa had been making her own medical decisions – the Mayo Clinic Staff had allowed her to make her own decisions – but then in Alyssa’s discharge summary, the attending physician stated that Alyssa was not capable of making her own medical decisions.

MICHIGAN’S PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS

Michigan has a Patient Bill of Rights which provides a list of guarantees for all people receiving medical care. The Bill provides that a patient has the right to refuse treatment and be informed of the consequences of that refusal. Patients have the right to receive all information necessary to be informed, and they have the right to consent to or deny a proposed treatment or procedure. Informed consent includes a description of the significant medical risks involved, alternatives, and costs.

The phrase “against medical advice (AMA),” is used when a patient wants to be discharged from a hospital or other healthcare facility and the physician is opposed to the discharge. In these cases, patients will be told that the discharge is against the physician’s medical advice. Most of the time, patients are not prevented from leaving the hospital/facility, but they will usually be asked to sign a statement that indicates that they have been informed that they are leaving AMA. Patients do not have to sign the statement; however, staff sometimes put pressure on patients to sign these documents nonetheless. The reason healthcare providers want patients to sign the statements is to limit their exposure to liability in the event that the patient becomes injured after leaving the hospital/facility AMA.

If you or a family member is attempting to be discharged from a hospital/healthcare facility and your healthcare providers tell you that the discharge would be AMA, or if attempts are made to delay you or your family member’s discharge, the Michigan Patient Bill of Rights provides protection. Each patient must be afforded the opportunity to discharge herself from a hospital or other healthcare facility.

THE DETROIT MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWYERS AT GREWAL LAW / CHURCH WYBLE P.C. ARE HERE TO HELP

If you believe you were a victim of medical negligence, please contact our team of experienced Detroit medical malpractice attorneys. The Michigan medical malpractice team at Grewal Law / Church Wyble P.C. is comprised of attorneys and healthcare professionals, including an on-site physician, registered nurse, pharmacist, paramedic, and respiratory therapist. Our attorneys are licensed in Michigan and Florida, and we help victims of medical malpractice and birth trauma throughout Michigan and Florida.

]]>https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/mayo-clinic-staff-lies-about-an-18-year-olds-ability-to-make-medical-decisions-refuses-her-request-to-transfer-to-another-hospital/feed/1Catholic Church Allegedly Let Sexual Abuse Occur For Decades; Nearly 1,000 or More Children Abused in Pennsylvaniahttps://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/sexual-assault/catholic-church-let-sexual-abuse-occur-for-decades-nearly-1000-or-more-children-abused-in-pennsylvania/
Wed, 15 Aug 2018 23:57:22 +0000https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/?p=2662Sexual assault attorney Mick Grewal discusses the sexual abuse scandal in Pennsylvania and how the grand jury believes the number of children abused by priests, bishops and other clergymen is in the thousands.

A Pennsylvania Grand Jury released a 1,300 page report this week that included details of sexual abuse allegations against 300 Catholic priests and other Catholic clergymen in Pennsylvania who allegedly abused nearly 1,000 children or more. According to the report, the Catholic Church was aware of the abuse throughout the last several decades and covered it up. The report details priests abusing boys and girls by orally, vaginally and anally raping them. Children were allegedly forced to masturbate their assailants and perform oral sex on them. Some of the abused children were as young as 7 years old, according to the report. In one case, a priest allegedly raped a 7 year-old girl in her hospital bed after she had her tonsils removed. In many cases, children were allegedly manipulated with alcohol and pornography. The report details how children were groomed with gifts such as crosses and manipulated with writings from the Bible.

The report includes claims that numerous members of the Catholic Church, including bishops, archbishops and cardinals, were aware of the sexual abuse and covered it up. The report documents how one priest allegedly impregnated a 17 year-old girl, forged a pastor’s signature on a certificate of marriage, and then divorced the teenage girl months later. Although this priest had engaged in sex with a minor, forgery and divorce, the priest was allowed to remain in the ministry after finding a “benevolent bishop,” according to the report.

Another Pennsylvania priest allegedly confessed to orally and anally raping at least 15 young boys. When this priest later met with a bishop, the bishop allegedly called the rapist a “person of candor and sincerity” and applauded him “for the progress he had made” in controlling his “addiction.” This priest was not removed from priesthood for several years.

These are just a few of the shocking stories of abuse that are discussed in the lengthy report. Inside diocese files, the FBI found details of a series of practices for concealing the truth of sexual abuse. The grand jury report indicates that the real number of abused children whose records were lost or who were afraid to come forward is in the thousands. Since 1947, in Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Scranton, monsignors, auxiliary bishops, bishops, cardinals and archbishops have mostly been protected. Some of these “men of God” have actually been promoted, according to the report.

The sexual assault attorneys at Grewal Law / Church Wyble, P.C. have been fighting for the rights of victims for decades, and they have made it their mission to stop institutional involvement in sexual abuse. The attorneys at Grewal Law / Church Wyble, P.C. are currently representing 111 Survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse and assault, and they understand what it takes to prevail against large universities and corporations. Attorneys David Mittleman and Nolan Erickson are experienced in pursuing sexual assault claims against the Catholic Church. Please contact the firm’s experienced lawyers for information regarding sexual assault support groups, and/or for a free consultation. The attorneys at Grewal Law / Church Wyble, P.C., are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you.

]]>Jury Finds Monsanto Product Caused Cancer, Awards $289 Millionhttps://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/defective-dangerous-products/jury-finds-monsanto-product-caused-cancer-awards-289-million/
Tue, 14 Aug 2018 13:08:20 +0000https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/?p=2658A California jury awarded $289.2 million last week to a 46-year-old groundskeeper who alleged that the popular weed killer Roundup, a Mansanto product, caused his terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Dewayne Johnson, the plaintiff, used the spray regularly for two years in the course of his job. The jury determined that Mansanto knew or should have known about the substantial dangers presented by the chemicals in its product.

Johnson’s case is the first of many involving similar claims made against the company, which is now owned by German chemical giant Bayer AG. Faced with potentially hundreds or thousands of similar lawsuits, Bayer’s stock turned down sharply in trading yesterday. Mansanto has repeatedly denied any link between its products and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and has stated it will appeal the verdict.

The verdict is an important victory for injured people, who often face nearly insurmountable odds when taking on major corporations. The Roundup verdict comes only one month after a jury awarded $4.69 billion to 22 women who alleged Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based Baby Powder product caused ovarian cancer. In spite of these recent newsworthy outcomes, it is still far more common for major corporations to prevail against consumers.

The attorneys at Grewal Law and its personal injury division, Church Wyble, have experience handling cases against large corporations and other institutions. If you or a loved one has been injured, please contact us for a confidential consultation.

]]>Sexual Misconduct Allegations Embroil Chicago Area Mega Churchhttps://lansing.legalexaminer.com/legal/sexual-assault/sexual-misconduct-allegations-embroil-chicago-area-mega-church/
Fri, 10 Aug 2018 14:23:31 +0000https://lansing.legalexaminer.com/?p=2657Willow Creek Church, a large and influential church located near Chicago, has been the focus of growing allegations of sexual misconduct and inadequate responses to congregants’ complaints. Former pastor Bill Hybels resigned in April after numerous allegations of inappropriate conduct with coworkers became public. To compound the matter, church officials have been accused of not believing the accusers and running a flawed investigation. Citing a loss of trust, the entire Board of Elders has resigned to give the church a chance at a fresh start.

The scandal has gone beyond the church itself. The Willow Creek Association puts on an annual leadership conference that is broadcast to a nationwide audience and disseminated around the world. For the first time in nearly 30 years, Hybels was not on the list of speakers. It is unclear how the mass resignations affected conference registration, but it appears there was a downturn in US viewing of the livestream. Over 100 simulcast host site locations refused to participate this year.

The claims against Hybels and the subsequent investigation by Willow Creek have been detailed by the Chicago Tribune and New York Times. He is accused by co-workers and at least one congregant of lewd or inappropriate sexual behavior. At least one co-worker has publicly accused him of groping and fondling her, and other allegations include unwanted hugs, kisses, and oral sex. Although Hybels has denied the allegations, he has stated that he put himself in “situations that would have been far wiser to avoid.” Hybels resigned 6 months prior to his previously planned retirement.

Survivors of sexual assault often have difficulty coming forward. Survivors sometime feel as if they won’t be believed, and / or they are afraid that they will face some type of retaliation if they come forward. The sexual abuse attorneys at Grewal Law / Church Wyble, P.C. have been fighting for the rights of victims for decades, and they have made it their mission to stop institutional involvement in sexual assault. The lawyers at Grewal Law / Church Wyble, P.C. are currently representing 111 Survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse and assault, and they understand what it takes to prevail against large universities and corporations. Please contact the firm’s experienced lawyers for information regarding sexual assault support groups, or for a free consultation to discuss your rights. All inquiries with our office are kept in the strictest confidence and are completely confidential.